Fuel pump longevity - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

lqy125 · 10-13-2006, 11:47 AM

My 94 Exploerer has 175,000 miles on it and very dependable, drive it 50 miles daily to work and plan to keep it for a while. My question to the group is what is 'normal life' of fuel pump for this truck, since it has brush, it will wear out, right? Is it better to change it now over the weekend or ran into the chance it broke down at the worst time, stranded during snow storm.
Thanks for your input.

ma96782 · 10-13-2006, 11:58 AM

Your fuel pump is stated to last, just until the warantee is over......LOL.

Actually, some have been know to go as far as yours has (lucky you) and more. My Chevy Celeberity lasted about 95K.

So, are you planning on keeping it awhile (how long)?

If it were to go out......would help be close?

If your wife and kids were in it.........without you......will they FREAK OUT?

Is it your only means of transport?

Rather not deal w/ the possibilities.........then, why not.......you got the time and want to make the effort.

Just my .02.

Aloha, Mark

PS........My explorer (bought used).....has 145K on it......going strong but, I live in a city, where help is close. Normally, I'm the fix it when it breaks kind of guy. Otherwise, I'd be changing the transmission too......BEFORE it breaks.....see how impractical that gets?

*Darrman* · 10-13-2006, 12:54 PM

I changed the pump on my '91 twice within a couple months, first time for natural wear out, second because of bad pump. Definitly not a fun job, especially with only jack and jackstands.
I do not know if the previous owners had replaced it before, but the truck had 225K on it. It made a real nasty bass fognorn noise when the pump was primed. The second one started whistleing, thing is the pump still worked so I dont know if it will just quit and leave you stranded without making some kind of noise to let you know in advance.

shamaal · 10-13-2006, 08:51 PM

I changed mine at 120K, but only because the gas gauge stopped working.

lqy125 · 10-13-2006, 11:53 PM

Thanks above for the reply! I am the original owner, it seems that I was lucky to get 175,000K on the fuel pump so far. Based on some of your experience, there are some kinds of signs, such as noise, before the fuel pump failed, I would just let going and see how far it can go.

snoborder42 · 10-14-2006, 12:50 AM

If it will give you peace of mind then go ahead and change it. It will be a lot of work though. I've heard the sometimes the pump will fail without giving any signs of failure. I've also heard that they sometimes begin to sound louder. I dont have any personal experience with this, this is just what I have heard second hand. But just to let you know too, my parents ex is still on the original pump with about 170K on it but the pump in mine died at around 100K.

LXNavajo_94 · 10-14-2006, 09:06 AM

My Navajo still has the original pump at 168k still works great. I would imagine that if some one were to have say run it out of gas a few times it might go quicker, or maybe some arent made as well as others. Either way if you think it might need to be replaced then by all means tackle the monster.

*Brock94* · 10-16-2006, 03:18 PM

I had to drop the tank to replace a failed rear brake line. The top of the fuel sending unit on the tank was so rusted that I replaced it, pump and all, to avoid an imminent fuel leak. With the miles on yours in the "salt belt", you may want to do the same. It wouldn't hurt to check that brake line for corrosion (and replace it) while you're in there too.

10-13-2006, 11:47 AM	#1
lqy125 Wannabe Elite Explorer chicago 94 XLT Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	Fuel pump longevity My 94 Exploerer has 175,000 miles on it and very dependable, drive it 50 miles daily to work and plan to keep it for a while. My question to the group is what is 'normal life' of fuel pump for this truck, since it has brush, it will wear out, right? Is it better to change it now over the weekend or ran into the chance it broke down at the worst time, stranded during snow storm. Thanks for your input.

10-13-2006, 11:58 AM	#2
ma96782 Wannabe Elite Explorer Vancouver, WA '94 XLT, 4dr Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,124 Vehicle Specs	Your fuel pump is stated to last, just until the warantee is over......LOL. Actually, some have been know to go as far as yours has (lucky you) and more. My Chevy Celeberity lasted about 95K. So, are you planning on keeping it awhile (how long)? If it were to go out......would help be close? If your wife and kids were in it.........without you......will they FREAK OUT? Is it your only means of transport? Rather not deal w/ the possibilities.........then, why not.......you got the time and want to make the effort. Just my .02. Aloha, Mark PS........My explorer (bought used).....has 145K on it......going strong but, I live in a city, where help is close. Normally, I'm the fix it when it breaks kind of guy. Otherwise, I'd be changing the transmission too......BEFORE it breaks.....see how impractical that gets? Last edited by ma96782; 10-13-2006 at 12:20 PM.

10-13-2006, 12:54 PM	#3
Darrman Elite Explorer Waxahachie, TX '92 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 704 Vehicle Specs	I changed the pump on my '91 twice within a couple months, first time for natural wear out, second because of bad pump. Definitly not a fun job, especially with only jack and jackstands. I do not know if the previous owners had replaced it before, but the truck had 225K on it. It made a real nasty bass fognorn noise when the pump was primed. The second one started whistleing, thing is the pump still worked so I dont know if it will just quit and leave you stranded without making some kind of noise to let you know in advance. __________________

10-14-2006, 12:50 AM	#6
snoborder42 Wannabe Elite Explorer Maple Valley/Downtown Seattle, Washington 92 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 805 Vehicle Specs	If it will give you peace of mind then go ahead and change it. It will be a lot of work though. I've heard the sometimes the pump will fail without giving any signs of failure. I've also heard that they sometimes begin to sound louder. I dont have any personal experience with this, this is just what I have heard second hand. But just to let you know too, my parents ex is still on the original pump with about 170K on it but the pump in mine died at around 100K. __________________ My Ride: 1992 XLT 4x4 5-Speed, K&N Filter, Flowmaster 40 Series, Panasonic Headunit, Silverstars, Bridgestone Revos RIP: 1993 "Old Blue" XLT 4x2

10-16-2006, 03:18 PM	#8
Brock94 Elite Explorer Milford, CT 1994 XLT Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 587 Vehicle Specs	I had to drop the tank to replace a failed rear brake line. The top of the fuel sending unit on the tank was so rusted that I replaced it, pump and all, to avoid an imminent fuel leak. With the miles on yours in the "salt belt", you may want to do the same. It wouldn't hurt to check that brake line for corrosion (and replace it) while you're in there too. __________________ Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit. What are you, O great mountain? -God

10-13-2006, 08:51 PM	#4
shamaal Wannabe Elite Explorer Friensdwood, Texas 91 Mazda Navajo Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,307 Vehicle Specs	I changed mine at 120K, but only because the gas gauge stopped working.

10-13-2006, 11:53 PM	#5
lqy125 Wannabe Elite Explorer chicago 94 XLT Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs	Thanks above for the reply! I am the original owner, it seems that I was lucky to get 175,000K on the fuel pump so far. Based on some of your experience, there are some kinds of signs, such as noise, before the fuel pump failed, I would just let going and see how far it can go.

10-14-2006, 09:06 AM	#7
LXNavajo_94 Wannabe Elite Explorer Hendersonville,NC 1994 navajo lx Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 139 Vehicle Specs	My Navajo still has the original pump at 168k still works great. I would imagine that if some one were to have say run it out of gas a few times it might go quicker, or maybe some arent made as well as others. Either way if you think it might need to be replaced then by all means tackle the monster.